Mary and The Soldier

Come all you lads of high renownThat will hear of a fair young maidenAnd she roved out on a summer'sDay for to view the soldier's paradingThey march so bold and they look so gayThe colours fine and the bands did playAnd it caused young mary for to say"I'll wed you me gallant soldier"

She viewed the soldiers on paradeAnd as they stood at their leisureAnd mary to herself did say: "at last I find my treasureBut oh how cruel my parents must beTo banish my true love away from meWell I'll leave them all and I'll go with theeMe bold and undaunted soldier"

"Oh mary dear, your parents'Love I pray don't be unrulyFor when you're in a foreign landBelieve you rue it surelyPerhaps in battle I might fallFrom a shot from an angry cannonballAnd you're so far from your daddy's hallBe advised by a gallant soldier. "

"Oh I have fifty guineas in right goldLikewise a hearth that's burningAnd I'd leave them all and I'd go withYou me bold undaunted soldierSo don't say no but let me goAnd I will face the daring foeAnd we'll march together to and froAnd I'll wed you, my gallant soldier"

And when he saw her loyaltyAnd mary so true-heartedHe said: "me darling, marriedWe'll be and nothing but death will part usAnd when we're in a foreign landI'll guard you, darling, with my right handAnd hopes that God might stand a friendWith mary and her gallant soldier"